New women's mental health program added at BryLin

Acknowledging that a woman has many issues in life to handle — family, career and health — BryLin Hospital has developed a new program.

The inpatient Women's Mental Health Program provides treatment for women who are experiencing a psychiatric disorder, such as depression and anxiety, which are related to hormonal and/or emotional disturbances.

"This new program's philosophy is based on a comprehensive approach to treatment emphasizing the unique needs of our female patients," said Marlene Longdon, vice president of patient care services. "The goal of the program is to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where women can work with the treatment team to address their complex issues that have resulted in a need for inpatient care."

Women are at greater risk for depression and anxiety during puberty, after having a baby, and in the years before menopause. Statistics show nearly twice as many women as men will develop depression and related disorders at some point in their lives.

Like diabetes or heart disease, a mental illness can be treated, Longdon said.

BryLin has an outpatient addiction medicine clinic at 5225 Sheridan Drive in Amherst. It also has an inpatient psychiatric hospital at 1263 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo.